Root Canal Treatment - Symptoms, treatment and after care
A root canal treatment is a tricky process that is done when a tooth is badly damaged by decay and has become infected. In order to save the tooth, the nerve and pulp are removed and the entire inside of the tooth, down to the root, is cleaned and sealed, preventing further infection and decay.
Thanks to advanced techniques employed by our dentists in Singapore, most of our patients experience little to no pain after a root canal! Most discomfort is relatively mild and related to bruised tissues around the treated tooth.
Ever wondered why your decayed tooth still "aches"? It could be because the roots of your tooth is infected, and the nerves and pulp need to be removed to save it!
Symptoms
You might be wondering, in which circumstances would a root canal treatment be necessary?
Well, here are four symptoms of tooth decay where a dentist would recommend the treatment as a solution:
1. PAIN
1. The most obvious symptom would be persisting pain around the area of the decayed or infected tooth. The pain could range from mild throbbing to severe aching throughout the day, especially while drinking or eating
2. SENSITIVE TOOTH
Another possible symptom would be a sudden sensitivity to cold or hot food or drinks, such as hot tea or iced beverages. Crunching on ice certainly would result in a spike of pain, and you might then realize that you have been chewing food on one side of the mouth for a period of time now.
3. CHIPPED OR CRACKED TOOTH
When your tooth chips off or cracks, it can expose bacterial and germs to the nerves beneath the surface. An infection in the tooth’s root could enter the bloodstream and spread.
4. SWOLLEN GUMS
4. Swollen gums that don't seem to go away after a couple of days is another possible result of an inflamed root canal. A dentist would then have to examine the swollen gums to determine if inflammation of the root canal is the cause of it.
Procedure
Common procedures during a root canal service include:
X-Ray – Should there be a chance that you would need a root canal treatment, we will first take an X-ray to determine the area and severity of the decay.
Anesthesia – Typically, local anesthesia is administered to the area around the affected tooth.
Pulpectomy – An incision is made and the decayed tooth pulp is removed.
Filling – The roots that have been opened (to get rid of the decayed pulp) are filled with INSERT TYPE OF FILLER MATERIAL YOUR CLINIC USES material and sealed off with INSERT TYPE OF SEALANT YOUR CLINIC USES
Aftercare
What to do after a root canal treatment:
To ensure that your root canal treatment has the best possible outcome and for you to heal quicker, remember to take the following aftercare steps:
1. Reduce Stress on the Tooth
Until the crown is placed, the tooth is unprotected. Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth to reduce stress on the treated tooth.
2. Choose Soft Foods
Avoid crunchy or hard foods. Eating foods that are hard or crunchy increases the risk of damaging the temporary filling. This filling serves to seal the tooth until a permanent restoration is placed. Hard foods can damage the filling or even break the tooth. To be extra safe, try to avoid these foods until the final restoration is in place.
3. Brush Teeth Gently
Be careful when brushing and flossing in the treated area. The tooth and surrounding gums still need proper care, of course, so be thorough, but gentle. It may be a little more difficult to floss around the temporary filling. Take your time and don’t force the floss. If you have difficulties, contact us so that we can reshape the filling if needed.
4. Get Crown Placed
A root canal removes the interior portion of your tooth, making the structure weaker. For that reason, in nearly every case, a crown or “cap” is used to protect the tooth and prevent damage. Crowns are usually placed in a second procedure, once your tooth and mouth have a chance to heal.
5. Treat Discomfort as Needed
Take pain relievers as prescribed by our friendly dentists to manage discomfort and reduce inflammation.
But you might be wondering, how much would this cost?
The above procedures can cost you anything from $100 and above at a place like A&B, whereas our clinic would depending on the severity and complications of the treatment, definitely a more economical option than prolonged pain and aches from an inflamed or decayed tooth.
Hurry down to our clinic or call 6758 5222 to quickly stop the pain!